“The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a unique national research facility that carries out robotic space and Earth science missions. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to study all the planets in the solar system as well as asteroids, comets and Earth’s moon. In addition to its missions, JPL developed and manages NASA’s Deep Space Network, a worldwide system of antennas that communicates with interplanetary spacecraft.”

“All tours commonly include a multimedia presentation on JPL entitled “Journey to the Planets and Beyond,” which provides an overview of the Laboratory’s activities and accomplishments. Guests may also visit the von Karman Visitor Center, the Space Flight Operations Facility, and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility.”

Sign up deadline: Thursday November 7, 2024

Time: Please arrive at  9:10 AM to check in and use restrooms. We will enter promptly at 9:30 PM. Tour will end by 12:00 PM.  Keep in mind, the drive is far and you never know what traffic will do, so give yourself extra time and bring your breakfast, and maybe some books with you in the car.

Who: Grades 3-12 & parent chaperones.  Younger siblings NOT Permitted, no babies.  I was only able to get an exception for 2 second graders to come along.  My son is one of them: that means we will be allowed only one more second grader if there is one that can handle the field trip as described without becoming impatient or disruptive.  Please read the details below, and do not bring any children regardless of age that will likely have difficulties with the field trip.  If there is a need for an accommodation for disability, please contact me so that I can communicate with JPL about accommodations.

I was only able to get a reservation for 20 people.  Sign up on the waitlist if it is full in case someone cancels before Nov 7, or in case I get real lucky and can somehow add more people.  These field trips are super high in demand and getting a reservation is really hard!

Please consider these things when deciding if this is a good field trip for you: 

1) The subject matter may be boring to younger children if they do not have an interest in the topic.  Your children need to be able to sit/stand still and be quiet for extended periods.

2) The tour will last 2 to 2.5 hours

3) If anyone needs to use the restroom during the tour, the whole tour must stop and wait.

4) We cannot go anywhere in the facility unaccompanied by the tour guide, so if a child becomes disruptive, you will not be able to remove them or stay behind.

5) There is considerable walking, standing, and stair climbing in this tour.

6) Everybody in attendance MUST be on the roster

7) The video that they show contains evolutionary ideas presented as facts; things such as, “we all came from stardust”.  This is something you might want to talk about ahead of time.

8) There is nowhere on site where we will be allowed to eat lunch or purchase food.  Pack a lunch and leave it in your car, or plan to buy food after the trip somewhere along the road.

9) You know your child best and if this tour will be something they will enjoy.  We have done this field trip several times in past years and if your children are too young, or not mature enough yet, you will probably get a chance to do this in the future.

Cost: FREE

Location: 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, Directions: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/about_JPL/maps.php

Street address for use in online map searches:
4800 Oak Grove Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Contact Person: bonnieadair@verizon.net, 805-504-6457

**Important Notes**: You must commit to this event. The final roster will be submitted 3 weeks before the tour and changes cannot be made once finalized. Please read the information below thoroughly before signing up.

As the tour organizer I have been told that you MUST read the following information:

• All US citizens 18 years of age or older visiting JPL MUST present official, government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, before being allowed entry.
• Anyone not on our approved roster will not be admitted on to the facility. *Note: Substituting roster names the day of the tour is not allowed*
• All non-US citizens (Foreign Nationals) 18 years of age or older MUST present either a passport or resident visa (green card) before being allowed entry. Individuals without the appropriate identification will NOT be admitted to the facility.
• Federal security requirements insist that you provide this office with a roster (maximum 20 persons) 3 weeks before the tour. We require the full name and country of citizenship for all adults, and full name for those under the age of 18.
• All non-US citizens (Foreign Nationals) 18 years of age or older MUST present either a passport or resident visa (green card) before being allowed entry. Individuals without the appropriate identification will NOT be admitted to the facility.
• The tour includes considerable walking and stair climbing. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. Wheelchairs can be accommodated with prior notice. Cameras are allowed on the tour. While a small personal item can be brought on tour, please refrain from bringing any large items, such as duffle bags and suitcases. *Note: All tours are conducted in English*
• Our address is: 4800 Oak Grove Dr., La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011.  Further driving instructions can be found on our website.
• To control the traffic flow in our visitor reception center, upon arrival, please send only one representative into the visitor reception building to notify us of your arrival. Please try to limit and/or control your guests’ access to the JPL Store and restrooms.

Sign Up Here by November 7th.  Make sure to include full legal name with middle initial, plus country of citizenship.